Senior U.S. and Ukrainian officials are expected to meet in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to discuss efforts to reach a ceasefire in the war with Russia, two sources with knowledge of the meeting said.

Why it matters: It will be the first high-level meeting between the countries since the public spat between President Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office last week.

• The clash led to an unprecedented crisis between the U.S. and Ukraine and to the suspension of U.S. weapons shipments and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

Driving the news: The meeting in Saudi Arabia comes after a similar meeting U.S. officials had with their Russian counterparts in Riyadh two weeks ago.

• That meeting created anxiety and anger among Ukrainian leaders who were upset they weren't invited to participate and heard about the meeting from media reports.

Behind the scenes: The upcoming meeting was scheduled on Wednesday during a phone call between White House national security adviser Mike Waltz and Zelensky's chief of staff Andriy Yermak, one source said.

• The meeting is expected to take place in Riyadh with White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio expected to join Waltz, the two sources said. Yermak will lead the Ukrainian delegation.
• Zelensky is expected to visit Saudi Arabia next Monday and Tuesday and meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to a Ukrainian official.

What they're saying: Zelensky said on Thursday in Brussels that Ukraine and the U.S. "have resumed work" and expressed hope that "a meaningful meeting will take place next week."

• The White House and Yermak's office didn't comment.

What to watch: Ukrainian officials say they are still ready to sign the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal that Zelensky and Trump were supposed to sign on Friday but was put on hold after their meeting in the Oval Office.

Editor's note: This story was updated with additional details.

President Trump told Hamas he will greenlight additional Israeli military strikes on Gaza unless the group releases its remaining hostages.

Why it matters: Trump's ultimatum comes during direct negotiations in Doha between his envoy for hostages affairs Adam Boehler and Hamas officials in an effort to reach a new Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal.

• Trump issued the ultimatum after a meeting with six hostages who were released as part of the first phase of the ceasefire deal.
• Hamas is still holding 59 hostages in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces have confirmed 35 are dead. Israeli intelligence believes 22 are still alive, and the status of two others is unknown.
• Among the remaining hostages are five Americans, including 21-year-old Edan Alexander who is believed to be alive.

What they are saying: "'Shalom Hamas' means Hello and Goodbye - You can choose. Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

• He called on Hamas to also return the bodies of dead hostages it is holding. "Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!" he wrote.
• Trump told Hamas leaders in Gaza to leave the enclave "while they still have a chance and "not a single Hamas member will be safe" if the group doesn't release the hostages. "This is your last warning!" he said.
• "To the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!" Trump wrote.

Yes, but: Trump has issued several ultimatums to Hamas since he won the election. His most recent was last month when he demanded that Hamas release all hostages "by noon Saturday" or the ceasefire is over.

• The 42-day ceasefire that was part of the first phase of the Gaza deal expired on Saturday after the parties couldn't reach an agreement on an extension.

The Trump administration has been holding direct talks with Hamas over the release of U.S. hostages held in Gaza and the possibility of a broader deal to end the war, two sources with direct knowledge of the discussions tell Axios.

Why it matters: The talks — held by U.S. presidential envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler — are unprecedented. The U.S. had never before engaged directly with Hamas, which it designated a terrorist organization in 1997.

Behind the scenes: The meetings between Boehler and Hamas officials took place in Doha in recent weeks.

• While the Trump administration consulted with Israel about the possibility of engaging with Hamas, Israel learned about aspects of the talks through other channels, one source said.
• The sources spoke with Axios on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the sensitive meetings.

Zoom in: The talks have focused in part on the release of U.S. hostages, which is within Boehler's remit as hostage envoy.

• But they have also included discussions of a broader deal to release all remaining hostages and reach a long-term truce, the sources say. No deal has yet been reached.
• White House envoy Steve Witkoff also planned to travel to Doha this week to meet the prime minister of Qatar about the ceasefire negotiations but canceled the trip on Tuesday night after he saw there was no progress from Hamas' side, a U.S. official said.

Between the lines: Trump's approach to the conflict has differed sharply from President Biden's, including repeatedly threatening "hell to pay" for Hamas and proposing a U.S. "takeover" of Gaza.

• Directly negotiating with Hamas — particularly without buy-in from Israel — is another step previous administrations have not taken.

State of play: 59 hostages are still held by Hamas in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces have confirmed 35 of them are dead. Israeli intelligence believes 22 hostages are still alive, and the status of two others is unknown.

• Among the remaining hostages are five Americans including one, 21-year-old Edan Alexander, who is believed to be alive.
• The 42-day ceasefire that was part of the first phase of the Gaza deal expired on Saturday after the parties couldn't reach an agreement on extending it.
• The fighting hasn't resumed, but Israel halted all humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza where an estimated 1.9 million Palestinians — 90% of the population — have been displaced by the war, and famine looms.

Update: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Wednesday afternoon that the U.S. was holding direct talks with Hamas, and said Israel had been consulted.

• She said Trump believes "it is the right thing for the American people" and added "there are American lives on the line"
• The Israeli Prime Minister's office said in a statement: "During talks with the U.S., Israel expressed its opinion about the issue of direct talks with Hamas"

The White House and the Israeli Prime Minister's Office did not offer comment prior to publication.

The U.S. will continue to suspend weapon supplies and intelligence sharing with Ukraine until a date for peace talks with Russia is set, White House national security adviser Mike Waltz said on Wednesday.

Why it matters: The U.S. decision to pause military aid is increasing pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to agree to move toward negotiations with Russia to end the war.

Behind the scenes: One U.S. source with knowledge of the details said the suspension of intelligence sharing mostly focuses on information that could help Ukraine conduct attacks inside Russian territory.

• A second source close to the Ukrainian government said the intelligence-sharing pause was the key issue that convinced Zelensky to put out a statement on Tuesday expressing regret for his public spat with President Trump and committing to peace talks.
• The source said that while Ukraine could have managed for quite some time without U.S. weapons, the suspension of intelligence sharing has immediate negative effect on the Ukrainian army's operations.

What they're saying: CIA director John Ratcliffe confirmed in an interview on Fox Business that Trump ordered a pause on intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

• "President Trump had a real question about whether President Zelensky is committed to a peace process. He said let's pause. I want to give you a chance to think about this, and you saw the response, President Zelensky put out a statement saying I am ready for peace," Ratcliffe said.
• He added that the pause on weapons supply and intelligence "will go away and we will work with Ukraine shoulder to shoulder as we have to push back on the aggression that is there but to put the world at a better place for this peace negotiations to move forward."

The other side: Zelensky's chief of staff Andrei Yermak wrote on X that he had a phone call with Waltz.

• "We discussed the next steps towards a just and lasting peace. We also exchanged views on security issues and the alignment of positions within the framework of bilateral relations between Ukraine and the United States. We have scheduled a meeting for our teams in the near future to continue this important work," he wrote.

What to watch: Waltz said in his interview on Fox and Friends that he spoke on Wednesday morning with his Ukrainian counterpart about possible dates and locations for talks between Ukraine and Russia and about appointing negotiation teams.

• "If we can nail down these negotiations and move towards these negotiations and put confidence building measures on the table, the President will take a hard look at lifting this pause ... Yesterday and today [were] a positive step forward," Waltz said.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details.

Pakistan recently acted on CIA intelligence and detained a senior ISIS commander who the U.S. claims plotted the deadly Abbey Gate bombing during the U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan in 2021, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the issue. President Trump revealed the arrest in his address to Congress on Tuesday night.

Why it matters: Mohammad Sharifullah, one of the leaders of an ISIS branch in Afghanistan and Pakistan, is believed to have devised and coordinated the attack that killed 13 U.S. service members and about 170 Afghan citizens, one official said.

The latest: CIA director John Ratcliffe said in an interview with Fox Business on Wednesday that Sharifullah arrived in Washington, DC on Tuesday night and is now in U.S. custody.

• White House national security adviser Michael Waltz told Fox and Friends that Sharifullah confessed about his role in the Abbey Gate bombing.

Driving the news: "I am pleased to announce that we have just apprehended the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity," Trump said in his address on Tuesday. He also thanked the Pakistani government for helping to arrest Sharifullah, who he said was at the time being brought to the U.S.

One U.S. official with direct knowledge said Sharifullah, who is also known as "Jafar," was detained by the Pakistani Intelligence Service.

• An indictment against him is expected to be unsealed on Wednesday, the U.S. official said.
• A second U.S. official claimed Sharifullah is "the mastermind" behind the attack that took place outside Kabul's international airport on Aug. 26, 2021, and that he planned and oversaw the execution of the bombing.
• "Because of his role, he has been a high value target of the U.S. intelligence community for several years," the official said.

Flashback: In April 2023, the Taliban killed another senior ISIS-K leader who the U.S. intelligence community believes authorized the Abbey Gate attack. The Biden administration announced his death but didn't provide details about his identity.

Behind the scenes: After CIA director John Ratcliffe was confirmed by Congress in January, Trump instructed him to prioritize capturing the perpetrators of the Abbey Gate attack, the U.S. officials said.

• In his first days in office, Ratcliffe told CIA counterterrorism officials to make it a top priority for the agency.
• One U.S. official said the CIA director on his second day in office raised the issue during his first call with his Pakistani counterpart, Lt. Gen. Asim Malik. Ratcliffe reiterated this message during his meeting with the Pakistani spy chief on the sidelines of the Munich security conference in mid-February.
• A spokesperson for the Pakistani embassy in D.C. did not provide a comment prior to publication.

The CIA has been monitoring Sharifullah for some time but in recent days it received specific intelligence about his location. The CIA provided the information to the Pakistani intelligence agency, which sent an elite unit that captured him near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the officials said.

• Ten days ago, after the U.S. was notified of Sharifullah's capture, Ratcliffe and FBI Director Kash Patel held a call with the Pakistani intelligence chief from CIA headquarters in Langley.
• Since then the CIA, the Department of Justice and the FBI worked together on his extradition, with Ratcliffe, Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi personally involved, one of the U.S. officials said.

The big picture: The cooperation between the CIA and the Pakistani Intelligence Services over Sharifullah's capture happened after several years of strained relations between U.S. and Pakistani intelligence services.

• A U.S. official said these tensions negatively affected counterterrorism operations with the Pakistanis.
• Both sources said the U.S. sees Sharifullah's detainment as a signal that the Pakistanis want to reengage with the Trump administration on intelligence and counterterrorism.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with comments from the Trump administration.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday expressed regret for his Oval Office spat with President Trump last week and said he's ready to sign a U.S. minerals deal "any time and in any convenient format."

Why it matters: Zelensky's statement, a day after Trump suspended all U.S. military aid to Ukraine, was an attempt to adhere to the conditions laid out by the White House for ending the diplomatic crisis.

• Trump officials had demanded that Zelensky publicly apologize, express a desire to negotiate for peace, and sign the minerals deal in order to get the U.S.-Ukraine relationship back on track.
• Zelensky previously said he did not see any reason to apologize after the stunning confrontation with Trump and Vice President Vance in the Oval Office last Friday.

What they're saying: "Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive," Zelensky wrote on X.

• He reiterated that Ukraine is committed to ending the war and is "ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer."
• "Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump's strong leadership to get a peace that lasts. We are ready to work fast to end the war," Zelensky added.
• Zelensky also wrote that Ukrainians "really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence," and explicitly thanked Trump for providing Ukraine with Javelin weapon systems in his first term.

What to watch: As part of the "first stages" of a deal, Zelensky proposed moving forward with the release of prisoners by both Russia and Ukraine, a "truce in the sky" that will freeze missile and long-range drone attacks, and no strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. He said the initial deal could also include a "truce in the sea."

• "Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the U.S. to agree a strong final deal," Zelensky said.
• On the minerals deal, Zelensky said he sees the agreement "as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively."

The State Department is waiving $95 million in military assistance to the Lebanese armed forces amid the Trump administration's nearly 90-day foreign-aid freeze, two U.S. officials told Axios.

Why it matters: The waiver suggests the Trump administration intends to try to strengthen Lebanon's military and the new government that took office in January.

• The aid is part of a broader Trump administration strategy to try to continue weakening Hezbollah, decreasing its influence in Lebanon and making sure the ceasefire with Israel holds, U.S. officials said.
• "The Department approved an exception to expend the $95 million of foreign military funding recently reprogrammed to Lebanon. We are working with our Department of Defense colleagues to move forward with the implementation of these funds," a State Department spokesperson told Axios.

Driving the news: Hezbollah's influence in the country appears to be weakening over the last several weeks while the Lebanese army has gained a stronger foothold.

• In February, security officials at the Beirut international airport didn't allow several commercial flights from Iran to land out of concern they were transferring millions of dollars in case to Hezbollah.
• Hezbollah sent its supporters to block the roads to the airport. The Lebanese army fired tear gas at the protestors in order to force the blockade open.
• "This was a big test for the Lebanese army," a U.S. official said.

Between the lines: Lebanon's new president Gen. Joseph Aoun was until recently the commander of the Lebanese army.

• Aoun is a key U.S. ally and the Trump administration sees supporting the Lebanese army as a way to strengthen Aoun.
• "Aoun presidency is a historic opportunity to change the reality in Lebanon for the better," a U.S. official told Axios.

The new Lebanese government platform stated for the first time in years that only the Lebanese state and its armed forces are responsible for defending the country.

• It is a marked change from the previous governments, which said the state and "the resistance" — synonymous with Hezbollah — are responsible for defensing the country.

State of play: As part of the ceasefire agreement with Israel, the Lebanese armed forces have been deployed to southern Lebanon, especially to areas where Hezbollah militants were positioned before the war.

• The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has almost entirely pulled out from southern Lebanon. Israeli soldiers stayed in five positions several hundreds meters inside Lebanese territory. The Lebanese government officially said it opposes the IDF remaining in these positions.
• But U.S. and Israeli officials said there is a quiet understanding between the three countries that the IDF presence will continues for several weeks or months until the Lebanese army stabilizes the situation in southern Lebanon and ensures Hezbollah is no longer a threat.

Behind the scenes: U.S. and Israeli officials said the U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism is working well.

• For the first time in years, the Lebanese army entered areas in southern Lebanon that used to be controlled by Hezbollah, destroyed military infrastructure and confiscated some of the group's ammunition caches, the officials said.
• "A year ago nobody would believe this is possible. It is major progress," a U.S. official said.

President Trump decided to pause and review all military aid to Ukraine days after the public spat with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, two White House officials told Axios.

Why it matters: The decision that was taken after a meeting on Monday between Trump and his senior adviser would increase pressure on Zelensky and create more difficulties for Ukraine's military.

What they're saying: "President Trump has been clear that he is focused on peace," one White House official said.

• "We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution."

Zoom out: The previous administration sent some $65.9 billion in military assistance to the country since Russia's invasion in February 2022, per the State Department.

• Trump had not announced any additional aid since taking office.
• Bloomberg first reported on Trump's aid decision.

Go deeper: What military aid the U.S. is still providing Ukraine under Trump

Editor's note: This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

Editor's note: Read the latest on Trump's decision to pause all U.S. military aid to Ukraine here.

President Trump will hold a meeting Monday afternoon on the next steps regarding the crisis with Ukraine, including a possible suspension of U.S. military aid, a U.S. official and a source with knowledge of the meeting told Axios.

Why it matters: Trump and his allies have been piling pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after their disastrous Oval Office meeting last week. Suspending military aid would damage Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russia's invasion and further weaken Ukraine's leverage as Trump pushes for peace talks.

The latest: Trump responded on Truth Social to an AP report that Zelensky had said the end of the war was "still very, very far away," writing: "This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!"

• "It is what I was saying, this guy doesn't want there to be Peace as long as he has America's backing and, Europe, in the meeting they had with Zelenskyy, stated flatly that they cannot do the job without the U.S.," Trump continued.
• "Probably not a great statement to have been made in terms of a show of strength against Russia. What are they thinking?"

The other side: Zelensky wrote on X that "it is very important that we try to make our diplomacy really substantive to end this war the soonest possible."

• "We need real peace and Ukrainians want it most because the war ruins our cities and towns. We lose our people. We need to stop the war and to guarantee security.
• "We are working together with America and our European partners and very much hope on US support on the path to peace. Peace is needed as soon as possible."

Driving the news: That exchange seems to set the tone for Monday's meeting.

• Along with Trump, Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, National security adviser Mike Waltz and other senior officials are expected to participate, the sources said.
• The White House didn't immediately respond to questions.
• The New York Times first reported about the meeting.

What they are saying: Waltz told Fox News on Monday that time is not on Zelensky's side.

• "The American people's patience is not unlimited, their wallets are not unlimited, and our stockpiles and munitions are not unlimited," Waltz said. "So the time to talk is now."
• Trump's national security adviser added that in order to fix the crisis, Zelensky needs to express regret for his public spat with the president in the Oval Office last Friday, say he is ready to sign the minerals deal and that he is ready to engage in peace talks with Russia.

Friction point: Trump has been calling for a ceasefire in Ukraine, to be followed by negotiation. But Zelensky is resistant to the idea of an unconditional ceasefire.

• The Trump-Zelensky meeting became particularly contentious after Zelensky claimed Putin had violated previous agreements and could not be trusted.
• Russia has also not advocated for a ceasefire, but Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Sunday that Trump's "rapidly changing" foreign policy "largely coincides with our vision."

Update: Trump told reporters Monday that he "hasn't even talked" until now about suspending military assistance to Ukraine. He added that Zelensky "needs to be more appreciative" towards the U.S. in order to solve the current crisis.

Editor's note: This story was updated with the comments from Trump and Zelensky.

Israel announced on Sunday it is halting all humanitarian aid and fuel deliveries to Gaza and closing the border crossings between Israel and the enclave.

Why it matters: Israel took the step a day after the ceasefire agreement with Hamas ended.

• An Israeli official told reporters that the food and other supplies that entered Gaza in the last 42 days would be enough for four to six months and the fuel would last several weeks.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he made the move because Hamas rejected a U.S. proposal to extend the ceasefire in exchange for the release of more hostages.
• He stressed the step was taken "in full coordination with President Trump and his people."
• "Israel will not allow a ceasefire without a release of our hostages. If Hamas persists in its refusal, there will be additional consequences," Netanyahu said.

Flashback: According to the original hostage and ceasefire deal, the ceasefire continues after day 42 if the parties are still negotiating the second phase of the deal.

Yes, but: While Hamas was ready to negotiate the second phase, Israel never seriously engaged.

Driving the news: On Saturday night, the Netanyahu's office said Israel agreed to a new U.S. proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire in exchange for the release of about half of the remaining hostages — both living and dead — and claimed Hamas has refused to accept it.

• Hamas is still holding 59 hostages. Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel believes as many as two dozen are still alive, including one American.

The U.S. proposal presented by the White House's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff included extending the temporary ceasefire for an additional 50 days, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told Axios.

• On the first day of the extended ceasefire, half of the living hostages and half of the dead hostages would be released, Netanyahu's office said.
• The U.S. proposal stipulates that negotiations will be held on a permanent ceasefire during the extended time.
• If an agreement is reached on a permanent ceasefire, the remaining living and dead hostages would be released, the Prime Minister's office said.

The other side: Hamas said in a statement on Sunday that Netanyahu's endorsement of the U.S. proposal is "an attempt to avoid implementing the hostage and ceasefire deal and negotiate the second phase."

• Hamas said the Israeli decision to halt aid delivery is "blackmail and a war crime" and a violation of what has been previously agreed.
• Hamas said Netanyahu is responsible for undermining the agreement and the implications his decisions have for the hostages.
• "The only way to release the hostages is implementing the agreement and starting negotiations over the second phase of the deal," Hamas said.

The other side: "Israel has negotiated in good faith since the beginning of this administration to ensure the release of hostages held captive by Hamas terrorists. We will support their decision on next steps given Hamas has indicated it's no longer interested in a negotiated ceasefire," National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes told Axios.

State of play: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said on Sunday his country is making efforts to resolve the crisis and extend the ceasefire.

• He criticized the Israeli decision and said that "using aid as a weapon of collective punishment and starvation in Gaza can't be accepted or permitted."
• The IDF conducted several drone strikes in Gaza on Sunday. According to Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry, at least four Palestinians were killed.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with a response from the NSC.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he doesn't think he needs to apologize for his public spat with President Trump and Vice President Vance at the Oval Office.

• "I am not sure we did something bad," he said in an interview with Bret Baier aired Friday evening.

Why it matters: The earlier shouting match in front of the cameras led to the explosion of a meeting between the two leaders, with Trump asking Zelensky to leave the White House.

• It also took off the table, for now, the U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement that was supposed to be signed on Friday.
• The divide between the U.S. and Ukrainian leaders will likely lead to more changes in the Trump administration's policy towards Ukraine.
• A U.S. official said Trump is considering several retaliatory steps, including stopping military assistance to Ukraine.

What they're saying: "I respect president Trump and the American people, but we have to be very honest and direct to understand each other," Zelensky said when asked whether he regrets the exchange with Trump and Vance.

• The Ukrainian told Baier on Fox News' "Special Report" that the discussion would have been better if it hadn't taken place in front of the cameras.
• "It was not good," he said. "I think this kind of spat is not good for both sides."
• Zelensky stressed that he thinks his relationship with Trump can be salvaged.

The other side: Shortly before Zelensky's interview, Trump told reporters his meeting with Zelensky "didn't work out exactly great from his standpoint."

• "He very much overplayed his hand," Trump added.
• He claimed that while he wants to get peace, Zelensky "is looking to go on and fight, fight, fight ... He's gotta say I want to make peace."
• A White House official told Axios that Zelensky's interview on Fox was insufficient. "He keeps insisting on security guarantees on this economic deal, and we've made clear that won't be part of this," the official said.

In his interview, Zelensky said Ukraine wants peace and agreed to hold negotiations on ending the war. He also stressed this was the reason he visited the White House.

• "But I can't change Ukrainian attitude towards Russia. They are killers for us. It doesn't mean we don't want peace. But we want [the U.S.] to recognize reality," he said.
• While Trump said he wants a ceasefire as soon as possible, Zelensky said a ceasefire alone without security guarantees for Ukraine won't work.
• "My people want to hear the U.S. is on our side," he said.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details.

President Trump and his top advisers huddled in the Oval Office after the on-camera shouting match with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday before Trump came to a decision: Zelensky had to go.

Behind the scenes: The delegation from Kyiv waited in another room for about an hour, still hoping to sign the minerals deal that prompted Zelensky's trip and to salvage the visit. Trump and Zelensky were still scheduled to have lunch and hold a joint press conference.

• Then Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz "went out of the Oval Office, walked to where Zelensky was sitting, and told him to leave," a senior White House official tells Axios.
• The visit was over without a minerals deal, and without any assurances of ongoing U.S. support.
• Trump followed up with a Truth Social post saying Zelensky "disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace."

Between the lines: The White House official insisted the explosion in the meeting was not a premeditated ambush. "Our plan was to sign the minerals deal and get into this economic partnership and move towards peace."

• The shouting match began after Vice President Vance answered a reporter's question by insisting that diplomacy with Russia was the only path to peace.
• An exasperated Zelensky replied with a monologue about how Putin violated previous agreements. "What diplomacy are you talking about, JD?" he asked.
• Vance and Trump both accused Zelensky of disrespect, and Zelensky repeatedly tried to cut in as the rhetoric from the president and VP grew more hostile, with Trump at one point accusing Zelensky of "gambling with World War III."

U.S. allies swiftly rallied around Zelensky after the meeting, and Democrats on the Hill denounced Trump for bullying Ukraine's wartime leader.

• But Trump's aides put the blame squarely on Zelensky. "He could have just acknowledged the vice president's remarks and moved on, but he couldn't bring himself to do it," the White House official said.
• Whether the fracas was Zelensky's fault or not, the fallout for Ukraine could be severe. Zelensky has acknowledged just how dependent his military is on further U.S. aid, which remains highly uncertain.
• And Trump was not entirely wrong when he repeatedly told Zelensky he didn't "have the cards" to shape the outcome of the war without U.S. support.
• Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who met Zelensky before his meeting with Trump, told reporters he advised the Ukrainian president, "Don't take the bait" and "talk about the positive." Now, "I don't know if we could ever do business with Zelensky again," Graham said.

One small but not insignificant factor that irritated Trump was the fact that Zelensky didn't wear a suit, two sources with direct knowledge told Axios.

• Trump's advisers told Zelensky's team on multiple occasions that it would be more respectful for Zelensky to ditch his military-style attire when visiting the White House.
• Zelensky arrived at the White House wearing a more formal black outfit with Ukraine's national symbol, but without a suit.
• "He is all dressed up today," Trump remarked when he shook Zelensky's hand at the entrance to the West Wing.

Friction point: U.S. officials had suspected another Trump-Zelensky flare-up was likely at some point, based on his handling of the minerals deal negotiations.

• "For several days, the Ukrainians jerked us around with this minerals deal, and today was the inflection point," a senior U.S. official said. "The blank check era for Zelensky in Washington is over and he didn't realize that."
• For their part, the Ukrainians were furious that Trump tried to force what was initially a deeply lopsided deal on them at a time when the U.S. was already leaving them out of talks with Russia about the future of Ukraine.
• And as Friday's meeting got underway, Zelensky was clearly frustrated at being lectured about the trouble his own country was in.

After leaving the White House, Zelensky canceled his next two public events and published a short statement on X thanking the American people, Congress and Trump for their support.

• "Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that," he wrote.

The main event of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the White House was supposed to be the signing of a minerals deal, but it quickly devolved into a heated argument with President Trump and Vice President Vance.

The latest: After an explosive Oval Office meeting in front of the press, Trump released a statement saying that he had determined Zelensky is "not ready for Peace if America is involved." Lunch and a joint press conference between the two leaders were canceled.

• "He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
• Zelensky departed the White House about two and a half hours after he arrived, and the minerals deal was not signed.

Driving the news: The Trump-Zelensky meeting in the Oval Office started with statements from both leaders and then questions from the press.

• After around 40 minutes, a reporter asked Trump why he engaged with Russian President Vladimir Putin and distanced himself from Ukraine.
• Trump replied that if he didn't show a balanced approach, he wouldn't be able to get a deal. "You want me to say really terrible things about Putin and then say, 'hi, Vladimir. How are we doing on the deal?' It doesn't work that way," Trump said.
• Trump then said Zelensky has "tremendous hatred" towards Putin and "it is very tough for me to make a deal with that kind of hate." He added: "I understand that, but I can tell you the other side isn't exactly in love with him, either." As Trump was speaking, Zelensky moved in his chair and looked more and more upset.
• Vance weighed in and said the way to end the war is through diplomacy. Zelensky then spoke directly to Vance, recounting the events since Russia's initial invasion in 2014 and all the failed diplomacy and Russian violations since then. "What kind of diplomacy, JD, are you talking about?" Zelensky asked.

At that point, the meeting devolved into a shouting match, with Vance accusing Zelensky of disrespect and of misleading visitors by taking them on "propaganda tours," and Zelensky noting Vance had never visited Ukraine.

• Zelensky then said that every country at war had problems and the U.S. would likely feel that some day too.
• Trump cut in and said Zelensky was "in no position to dictate what we're going to feel."
• "You're not in a good position ... you're gambling with the lives of millions of people, you're gambling with World War III ... and what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country, that's backed you," Trump said, as Zelensky crossed his arms and tried to interject.

At one point, Trump told Zelensky "you don't have the cards" and Zelensky replied tersely, "I'm not playing cards."

• Latest, Trump told Zelensky "your country is in big trouble," and Zelensky said "I know" before being cut off again by Trump.
• Trump insisted that Ukraine would have been overrun without U.S. help and that his help was the country's only chance.
• "It's going to be a very hard thing to do business like this," Trump said as Zelensky repeatedly tried to interject.

State of play: The visit comes as the Trump administration pushes for a ceasefire in the war between Ukraine and Russia, to be followed by peace negotiations.

• Zelensky said at the top of the meeting that the U.S. was "on our side" from the beginning of the war "and I think that Trump is on our side."
• He said he is sure U.S. assistance to Ukraine will continue, adding: "This is crucial for us."
• But he drew Trump's ire by objecting to the ceasefire plan, saying Putin had repeatedly broken ceasefires in the past.

Between the lines: Trump denounced Zelensky as an unpopular "dictator" earlier this month and falsely blamed him for starting the war. He had softened his tone significantly ahead of the meeting before today's blow-up.

What to watch: The signing of the minerals deal did not take place, and its status is unclear. Trump said at the top of the meeting with Zelensky that the deal was "fair" and it "a big commitment by the U.S."

• "The problem is, I've empowered you to be a tough guy, and I don't think he'd be a tough guy without the United States," Trump warned Zelensky. "Your people are very brave, but you're either going to make a deal or we're out, and if we're out, you'll fight it out."
• The U.S. wants to use the minerals "for all of the things we do, including AI and including weapons and the military," Trump said.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told Axios in an interview on Thursday that she felt "uncomfortable" hearing President Trump and other senior U.S. official in recent weeks "repeating Russian narratives and talking points" about the war in Ukraine.

Why it matters: The former Estonian prime minister has the seemingly impossible job of managing the EU's relationship with Trump's Washington. She received an ominous signal on shortly after arriving in D.C. on Tuesday, when Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled their meeting planned for the next morning.

Driving the news: The State Department claimed that was due to "scheduling reasons," but European diplomats think the cancellation was a political decision by the Trump administration.

• "You have to ask him why he cancelled," Kallas told Axios. She said she'd had a good meeting with Rubio at the Munich Security Conference two weeks ago and expected to meet him at the G7 next month.
• On Wednesday, Trump claimed at the top of his Cabinet meeting — with Rubio at his side — that the EU was formed "to screw" the U.S. over trade, and reiterated a threat of 25% tariffs.

The big picture: Senior Trump officials have been going after the EU on trade, circumventing it on Ukraine, and intervening in the bloc's internal politics.

• Kallas admits she's concerned the new administration is distancing itself from Europe and aligning itself with what she called "new friends."
• "The statements made towards us are quite strong. The statements regarding Russia are very friendly. It is a change," said Kallas, who has a history of hawkish rhetoric toward Russia.
• Kallas noted that the U.S. voted against its European allies at the UN this week and with countries like "North Korea, Russia, Belarus, Mali, Nicaragua and Haiti" in opposing a resolution to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

What she's saying: Kallas argued the Trump administration's engagement with Russia is giving President Vladimir Putin what he wants: international legitimacy.

• "Russia wants to be back around the international table like nothing has happened. If we allow that to happen, then we will see more wars, not only in Europe," she warned.
• Asked whether she thinks Trump is trying to divide the EU, she said it's unclear what is motivating him: "His statements regarding Europe are very strong, and the question is, why are they so strong? I mean, where is it all coming from?"

State of play: On Thursday, at the top of his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump attacked the EU again.

• "We do have problems with the EU because they've tariffed us. They sue our companies. We don't like the way they're treating our people. We don't like the way they're treating our companies," he said.
• Trump also falsely claimed the U.S.-EU trade deficit was $350 billion. The deficit was $236 billion for goods in 2024, and considerably less if services are factored in. Kallas said the deficit was just 3% of all trade and thus "not a lot."

Between the lines: Kallas was representing the EU at the Munich conference this month where Vice President Vance accused European countries of blocking free speech and not respecting election results because they are afraid of their own people.

• Kallas tried to downplay the significance of Vance's comments. "I think it's more important what the Europeans do, rather than what the Americans say," she stressed.
• At the same time, she argued Vance was out of bounds to weigh in on domestic political issues, and also had his facts wrong.
• "It was very surprising. Why did he attack and say that we have a problem with freedom of expression when this is one of the fundamental values of European Union? I refuse to accept that criticism, because it's just simply not true. In the U.S. you have two parties, in the European Parliament we have eight different parliamentary groups. From the left, from the right, from the center. At the same time, in Russia, you don't have free elections and you don't have free expression," she said.

What to watch: The EU and its members states are closely following the Trump administration's dialogue with Russia and are concerned Trump and Putin will cut a deal on Ukraine behind their backs.

• "They can talk with Putin all they want, but in order for any kind of deal to be implemented, they need the Europeans, and if the Europeans or Ukrainians do not agreed to this, then any deal would not work," Kallas said.

Go next: Trump softens tone on Zelensky ahead of key meeting

After two weeks of verbal attacks, President Trump softened his tone on Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of a key meeting between the leaders Friday.

Why it matters: Zelensky will visit the White House to sign an economic cooperation deal that gives the U.S. access to Ukrainian minerals and other natural resources, such as oil and gas.

• The visit comes amid a push by the Trump administration for a ceasefire in the war between Ukraine and Russia to be followed by peace negotiations.

Catch up quick: Last week, U.S. and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia to discuss the war without inviting Ukraine to participate.

• After Zelensky complained that the U.S. has been working with Russia behind its back, Trump replied with public accusations against the Ukrainian president, falsely suggesting Ukraine started the war and that Zelensky is deeply unpopular with his own people.
• Zelensky responded by accusing Trump of living in a "disinformation space" created by the Kremlin.
• Trump fired back by calling Zelensky "a dictator without elections" — a term he never used for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zoom in: At the top of his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Thursday, Trump admitted his relations with Zelensky became "testy" over the last few weeks while they negotiated the minerals deal, but walked back calling him a "dictator."

• "Did I say that? I can't believe I said that. Next question," Trump said.
• Trump was later asked the same question during a press conference with Starmer and dodged it.
• "We will have a very good meeting tomorrow morning — I have a lot of respect for him," he said of Zelensky.

State of play: The efforts to launch peace talks to end the war in Ukraine were at the center of Trump's meeting with Starmer. Trump held similar discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday.

• After the meeting with Starmer, Trump said the next step is reaching a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine: "We are working on ending the war in Ukraine. It is moving along rapidly. It's either going to happen fairly soon or not at all."
• Starmer praised Trump for his diplomatic push but also stressed that any such deal should be "tough and fair" and must not serve Putin's interests.
• "We have to get it right. We have to win the peace ... it can't be peace that rewards the aggressor," he said, adding that Ukraine must help shape any such agreement.
• Starmer said the U.K. is ready to "put boots on the ground and planes in the air" as part of future security guarantees for Ukraine. Trump has endorsed the idea of a European peacekeeping force but said U.S. troops won't take part.

Hamas transferred to Israel the bodies of four hostages on Thursday morning local time as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said.

The big picture: The return of the bodies completes the release of 33 hostages as part of the first phase of the deal.

• The 42-day truce is due to end on Saturday, but the deal stipulates the ceasefire will continue as long as the parties continue to negotiate on the next phase.

Driving the news: Hamas and Israel announced on Tuesday that they have reached an understanding that will end the crisis that erupted when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed the release of 600 Palestinian prisoners last Saturday.

• The parties agreed that Hamas would return the bodies of the four Israeli hostages a day ahead of the original plan.
• In return, Israel would release the 600 prisoners and several other prisoners who were supposed to be released this week.
• Hamas also agreed not to conduct any public ceremony around the return of the bodies, Israeli officials said.

Situation report: The bodies of the hostages were transferred via the Red Cross without any ceremonies.

• Egyptian officials assisted in the mediation and were on the ground during the exchange, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said.
• As the bodies were being transferred, Israel started the process of releasing some of the prisoners, with the rest expected to be released after the four bodies of the hostages had been identified.

What's next: An Israeli delegation is expected to leave on Thursday for Doha or Cairo to start negotiating the next step with Qatari and Egyptian mediators, an Israeli official told Axios.

• The Israeli official said the goal is to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas on an extension of another 42 days to the ceasefire during which more Israeli hostages and more Palestinian prisoners will be released.
• White House envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to the region as soon as Sunday to join the negotiations.
• President Trump said at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that the transfer of the bodies is the end of the first phase of the deal and the beginning of the second phase.
• "Now Israel will have to decide what it wants to do," he said.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) instructed committee staff to refer to the Israeli-occupied West Bank by its Hebrew name Judea and Samaria, according to a copy of an internal committee memo obtained by Axios.

Why it matters: The international community, including the U.S. government, refers to the territory Israel occupied in 1967 as the West Bank and doesn't recognize Israeli sovereignty there. Roughly 3 million Palestinians and half a million Jewish settlers live in the West Bank.

• Changing the terminology the committee uses is a symbolic move that reflects the support among many Republicans in Congress for recognizing Israeli sovereignty there.
• The occupation in the West Bank and the Jewish settlements that were built against international law are a politically charged and controversial issue in Israel.
• While the settler lobby and the governing coalition support expanding settlements and annexing the territory, other parts of Israeli society oppose it.

Driving the news: A source with direct knowledge of Mast's directive said the congressman sent the memo to the 50 Republican staffers on the committee on Tuesday. It is not binding for the Democratic staffers.

• He wrote that "in recognition of our unbreakable bond with Israel and the inherent right of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland, the House Foreign Affairs committee will, from here forward, refer to the West Bank as Judea and Samaria in formal correspondence, communication and documentation."
• Mast wrote that "Jewish roots in this region span centuries," and "as representatives of the American people, we must do our part to stem this reprehensible tide of antisemitism and recognize Israel's rightful claim to the cradle of Jewish civilization."

Between the lines: The Israeli government has never annexed the West Bank or officially applied Israeli law to this territory.

• The Israeli government and Prime Minister Netanyahu still use the term the West Bank in addition to using Judea and Samaria.

What to watch: During his press conference with Netanyahu three weeks ago, President Trump was asked by an Israeli reporter whether he "supports Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria areas."

• Trump said the White House is discussing the issue but hasn't taken a position yet.
• "But we will be making an announcement probably on that very specific topic over the next four weeks," he said.

President Trump confirmed on Wednesday that the U.S. and Ukraine have reached a minerals deal and that he still expects Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit the White House on Friday.

• Comments from Zelensky earlier on Wednesday had seemed to put the deal and the visit in doubt.

Why it matters: The deal is designed to allow the U.S. to tap into Ukraine's minerals and other natural resources and establish a joint fund for rebuilding Ukraine. It has the potential to reduce tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine after a public squabble last week.

What they're saying: "It is going to be a very big agreement on rare earths and other things. It has all been worked out. We are happy about it. We will also make a deal with Russia and Ukraine about stopping killing people," Trump said.

• Trump confirmed Zelensky would visit the White House on Friday for a signing ceremony. That would be the first meeting between the two leaders since Trump assumed office.
• Zelensky had told reporters in Kyiv on Wednesday that while a framework had been agreed, key details of the agreement still needed to be worked out.
• He also said his team was discussing a visit to Washington but suggested the timing was uncertain. Trump first announced the visit on Tuesday.

What to watch: Zelensky has repeatedly argued that Ukraine needs U.S. security guarantees as part of any deal.

• Trump said during Wednesday's Cabinet meeting that it was up to Europe, not the U.S., to make security guarantees.
• But he said the minerals deal would help ensure Ukraine's security because U.S. workers would be in Ukraine and "nobody is going to be messing around with our people when we are there."
• Trump also endorsed the idea of a European peacekeeping force that has been floated by the U.K. and France.

Between the lines: A source close to the Ukrainian government said the U.S. agreed to Zelensky's request to add to the text of the minerals deal a general mention of U.S. support for future security guarantees for Ukraine.

• A White House official told Axios the agreement "is not a guarantee of future aid for the war, nor does it include any commitment of U.S. personnel in the region."

White House envoy Steve Witkoff said Tuesday that Israel will send a delegation to Doha or Cairo in the coming days to discuss the next steps of the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal based on principles that the U.S. has agreed to with Israel and Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

The big picture "If these talks go well, I might be going to the region on Sunday," Witkoff said at an American Jewish Committee event in Washington, D.C.

• Witkoff postponed by a few days his trip to the Middle East to discuss with Israel, Qatar and Egypt the possibility of extending the first phase of the deal, a U.S. source told Axios.
• A U.S. source said the reason for delaying Witkoff's trip is the Trump administration's diplomatic efforts on Russia-Ukraine.

Why it matters: The first phase of the hostage deal is expected to end on Saturday. Under the Gaza deal, the ceasefire will continue as long as second phase negotiations are taking place.

• If the first phase of the deal ends, the war in Gaza is likely to resume.

The latest: Hamas and Israel announced on Tuesday that they have reached an understanding that will end the crisis that erupted when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to delay the release of 600 Palestinian prisoners last Saturday.

• The parties agreed that Hamas will return the bodies of four Israeli hostages on Wednesday night — a day ahead of the original plan.
• In return, Israel will release the 600 prisoners and several other prisoners who were supposed to be released thus week. Hamas also agreed not to conduct any public ceremony around the return of the bodies, Israeli officials said.

What they're saying: "We're hopeful that we have the proper time to finish off -- to begin phase two and finish it off and get more hostages released and move the discussion forward," Witkoff said in a Sunday interview on CNN's "State of the Union."

• The White House envoy said he believes Netanyahu is motivated to release more hostages.
• "He also wants to protect the state of Israel. And so he's got a red line. And he said what the red line is. And that is that Hamas cannot be involved in a governing body when this thing is resolved. And so I think he's trying to square the circle on both of those things," Witkoff said.

Driving the news: Netanyahu convened security consultations on Saturday about the way forward in the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal.

• Israeli officials said that despite recommendations from the heads of the security services, Netanyahu delayed the release of the 600 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday, citing Hamas violations of the deal.
• The heads of the security services told Netanyahu in the meeting that they recommend making every effort to exhaust the negotiations on the second phase of the deal or on extending its first phase, Israeli officials said.

What they're saying: The White House on Sunday expressed support for Israel's decision to delay the release of the Palestinian prisoners and said President Trump is "prepared to support Israel in whatever course of action it chooses regarding Hamas."

• "Given Hamas' barbaric treatment of the hostages, including the hideous parade of the Bibas children's coffins through the streets of Gaza, Israel's decision to delay the release of prisoners is an appropriate response," White House national security council spokesperson Brian Hughes said in a statement.

Behind the scenes: Witkoff met on Saturday in Miami with Ron Dermer, the Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs, who is leading the Israeli negotiations team. It was the second meeting between the pair in 48 hours to discuss the second phase of the hostage deal.

• An Israeli official said Witkoff wanted Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Mahmoud Rashad to also negotiate, but their schedules would not allow it.
• The Israeli official noted that the mediators did not want to speak for Hamas or negotiate for the group and therefore refrained from coming to Miami.
• "The Americans understood that the mediators did not intend to cooperate with the process that Witkoff and Dermer wanted to conduct in Miami and that if they wanted to move forward, the negotiations had to be in the region," the Israeli official said.

Witkoff told CBS' "Face the Nation" that his five-day trip will include stops in Qatar, Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information, including the postponement of Witkoff's trip, his comments on Tuesday and Tuesday's announcement by Israel's government and Hamas.

President Trump told reporters that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit the White House on Friday to sign a minerals deal.

• Two sources close to the Ukrainian government told Axios the deal was agreed on Tuesday after two weeks of tense negotiations.

Why it matters: The deal is designed to allow the U.S. to tap some of Ukraine's immense mineral wealth and to spur post-war development in the country. But the meeting will bring together two leaders who were publicly feuding just last week, with Trump calling Zelensky a "dictator" and Zelensky claiming Trump was swallowing Russian disinformation.

The latest: Zelensky told reporters in Kyiv on Wednesday that the minerals deal with the U.S. is a framework agreement that will be followed with a detailed agreement about the joint U.S.-Ukrainian fund to be established for the potential revenue from the minerals.

• He said the agreement doesn't mention anything about Ukraine repaying any debt to the US.
• Zelensky added that the deal will be signed at a ministerial level and the details of his possible trip to Washington on Friday are still being worked out.

Zoom in: Trump has argued the minerals deal will yield billions of dollars in revenue for the U.S. and help to recoup costs related to U.S. support of Ukraine in the war.

• One source said Zelensky managed to negotiate a final draft that didn't include a key U.S. demand that it would have rights to $500 billion in future revenue. The Financial Times first reported the U.S. concession.
• The draft agreement stated that the U.S. wants to keep Ukraine "free, sovereign and secure" but didn't mention specific security guarantees.
• The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Friction point: The minerals agreement comes at a point when the U.S.-Ukraine relationship seemed to be crumbling.

• Zelensky objected to the Trump administration opening talks with Moscow about the future of the conflict without involving Ukraine, and taking key points of leverage for Ukraine off the table — such as the possibility of NATO membership — without seeming to put similar pressure on Russia.
• Trump, for his part, was furious that Zelensky rejected an initial version of the minerals deal. He falsely claimed Ukraine had initiated the war and launched repeated personal attacks against Zelensky.

Behind the scenes: Ukrainian and U.S. officials said U.S. envoy Gen. Keith Kellogg played a key role in containing the crisis over the minerals deal and preventing it from turning into a deeper rift between Trump and Zelensky.

• "General Kellogg's meetings with Zelensky in Kyiv last Wednesday and Thursday were extremely important. Patient, persistent diplomacy can yield results," a U.S. official involved in the talks said.

State of play: The two sources said the Ukrainian cabinet will convene as soon as Wednesday to approve the deal, before Zelensky travels to Washington later in the week.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details.